Young professional I want to live in Chicago but may have to commute to Grayslake.. Realistic? Compromises?? (Arlington Heights: apartment complex, rental)

[rumbabear]

I'm a female, young professional.. interviewing for a design position in Grayslake. I live in Denver currently, and wouldn't want to live in Grayslake. Is commuting from Chicago proper to Grayslake realistic? If so where would be good neighborhoods to live in the northerly part of Chicago? Considering that I am not going to be making very much money at first, I will be looking probably to just rent a room and wouldn't mind living somewhere with some 'character.' Or is there a compromise? Could I live a bit North of Chicago and still be able to take trains downtown easily to go to shows and stuff, to lighten that commute to Grayslake? Are there areas North of Chicago that are still cool, you know what I mean. I don't have any children or a dog.

[Avengerfire]

Realistic? Not really. You can do it but you are going to have to drive to Grayslake and the whole ordeal is going to be one big pain in the ass.

[jdiddy]

Sorry. Grayslake is too far. If you're not going to be making much money, its not worth the gas.

[chicagoist]

Well, as other posters have said -- it would be painful. The Lincoln Square neighborhood is in Chicago proper and is a great area, but you would be looking at least an hour commute one way. That would get old fast.

[Dncr]

Is the job located anywhere near a Metra station? The Metra would be cheaper and less of a pain than driving there.

[reppin_the_847]

Where in Grayslake is your office going to be? Will it be walking distance from the Milwaukee North line Grayslake Metra stop? If it is, then there's a chance you could live in the West Loop and take the Metra to work if your employer is somewhat flexible with hours. If not, I'd also look at towns like maybe Arlington Heights (much easier commute to Grayslake vs. from Chicago) that actually do have character and easy Metra access to Chicago. A lotta folks like Evanston since it's got a ton of charm, lake access, and borders the city. But I'm afraid Evanston to Grayslake might be a bit too long of a haul. The closest town to Grayslake that might have that character you're looking for is Libertyville, but again, this you can't take away from the fact that you're deep in suburbia at that point and nowhere near the city. There is some nightlife in downtown Libertyville, however (a few bars, several restaurants, etc.). Libertyville to Grayslake would be a simple, QUICK commute by the way. And Libertyville does have a Metra train that goes into the city as well.

Originally Posted by rumbabear

I'm a female, young professional.. interviewing for a design position in Grayslake. I live in Denver currently, and wouldn't want to live in Grayslake. Is commuting from Chicago proper to Grayslake realistic? If so where would be good neighborhoods to live in the northerly part of Chicago? Considering that I am not going to be making very much money at first, I will be looking probably to just rent a room and wouldn't mind living somewhere with some 'character.' Or is there a compromise? Could I live a bit North of Chicago and still be able to take trains downtown easily to go to shows and stuff, to lighten that commute to Grayslake? Are there areas North of Chicago that are still cool, you know what I mean. I don't have any children or a dog.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by reppin_the_847

Where in Grayslake is your office going to be? Will it be walking distance from the Milwaukee North line Grayslake Metra stop? If it is, then there's a chance you could live in the West Loop and take the Metra to work if your employer is somewhat flexible with hours. If not, I'd also look at towns like maybe Arlington Heights...

Perhaps you missed this part:

Originally Posted by rumbabear

...Considering that I am not going to be making very much money at first, I will be looking probably to just rent a room...

[linicx]

If you are cash-strapped. your best bet is to live as close to your job as possible now. Then plan to move into the city when you know it better and your assets are more liquid. City passes for buses and trains for 20x days a month is not free or cheap, nor is parking and the associated stickers, parking lots, etc... .

[chicago103]

If you want to live in the city in your situation I would recommend living near O'Hare airport. Specifically the neighborhoods of O'Hare, Norwood Park or Edison Park. If you can walk from the Metra Grayslake station that line has a stop at O'Hare. Also if you want to the more central parts of the city you could either take the same metra train to union station or take the CTA blue line that goes through the aforementioned neighborhoods. The rental housing is pretty affordable in those areas, not considered the most exciting parts of the city but at least it is safe and you probably could get to at least some places in your neighborhood without a car all the time. There is a very large apartment complex within walking distance of the Cumberland CTA blue line stop and a short drive or bus ride to the O'Hare Metra stop. Also if you must drive to work the O'Hare area is an expressway hub.

Gathering from your post it seems you want to avoid the suburban lifestyle otherwise you would probably content with living around Greyslake and where I described above is the best places to do that, its a hybrid, close enough to get to your job somewhat easily but still living within Chicago city limits with decent access to the best that city life has to offer.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by chicago103

If you want to live in the city in your situation I would recommend living near O'Hare airport. Specifically the neighborhoods of O'Hare, Norwood Park or Edison Park. If you can walk from the Metra Grayslake station that line has a stop at O'Hare...

The MD-N has a stop in Graylake as well. The OP could live near the Mayfair stop-which would bound to be cheaper than O'Hare, Norwood Park or Edison Park.

But all of this is mindless speculation since the OP has not been back and has not listed how much she can afford in rent and around how much money she will be making.